West Virginia offers a diverse array of outdoor recreation opportunities that make it a top destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. From world-class whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers to scenic hiking and rock climbing in the iconic New River Gorge National Park, the Mountain State delivers thrilling experiences year-round. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, mountain biking, and winter sports in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. With its lush forests, winding rivers, and rich heritage, West Virginia offers a perfect setting for families, solo travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore breathtaking natural landscapes. Be sure to visit our guide for information about indoor and outdoor recreation in West Virginia.
Communities along the Guyandotte River in south-western West Virginia are celebrating the restoration of the scenic waterway July 14 with an inaugural kayak and canoe float and regatta at five locations along its valley. More than 300 kayakers are expected to join in the festivities at Mullens, Gilbert, Branchland, Barboursville, and at Dabney, near Logan, … Read more
Officials in the West Virginia state park system are encouraging visitors to celebrate National Canoe Day June 26 by taking a canoe or kayak out for a paddle at a state park or forest lake. Gift shops at state parks and forests that offer canoe or kayak rentals are offering a discount of 20 percent … Read more
Organizers of an annual flat-water kayaking tour on the Coal River at Saint Albans, West Virginia, say they think their event may now be the nation’s largest. Following a 14 percent increase in kayaking participation, Bill Currey, co-founder and chair of Coal River Group, said the June 16 festival may have broken a national record. … Read more
A whitewater rafting trip on the New River is only a bus-ride away for residents of the Kanawha Valley, thanks to a partnership between River Expeditions and the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau. On the first Saturdays of July, August, and September, the bureau’s Fun Bus will leave Charleston for a day of adventure near … Read more
A new West Virginia “noodling” or hand-fishing season launches June 15, according to the state Division of Natural Resources. A law passed during the 2018 legislative session will allow anglers to hand-fish, or “noodle,” in public waters from June 15 to Aug. 31 between sunrise and sunset. Noodlers may only hand-fish in naturally-occurring habitats, such … Read more
As part of the dam-safety program of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Conaway Run Lake, near Middlebourne, in Tyler County, is undergoing repairs June 11-Oct. 31, 2018. Its boat ramp, parking lot, and the access road to its dam will be closed during this time, according to a release from the division. Bank … Read more
The lake at Little Beaver State Park has been nominated one of the best places to go for family-friendly fishing and boating in West Virginia, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. The lake is featured on a “Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat” list “made for moms, by moms,” according to a … Read more
OAK HILL, W.Va. —Climbers and hikers are welcome to begin exploring a 300-acre park under construction near the New River Gorge that includes more than two miles of cliff for climbing and bouldering. Needleseye Boulder Park, at Oak Hill, West Virginia, is now welcoming adventurers, though its trails and other facilities are not yet in … Read more
River Expeditions will celebrate the 50th anniversary of whitewater rafting in West Virginia June 20 with discounted trips on the New River, according to its vice president. The industry that helped popularize the Mountain State as an outdoor-recreation destination hasn’t existed that long, says Heather Johnson, and the anniversary of its first whitewater rafting trip … Read more
A record-breaking 1,000 kayakers are expected to participate in the 14th annual Tour de Coal community float trip Saturday, June 16, on the Coal River, according to organizers. The tour has become so successful that it has spawned Yakfast, a two-day celebration of kayaking that premiers Friday, June 15, at the mouth of the river … Read more
